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Brake line Blues


someguy000001
03-26-2008, 12:24 PM
The other day I attempted to stop at a red light and the pedal went almost to the floor as the 'brake' light on the dash lit up. I still had some braking ability, so I thought it was a simple blown out brake hose or wheel cylinder.

Today I finally got around to looking at it and much to my horror I found that the leak is coming from the main steel line that runs along the frame to the master cylinder. Does anybody around here have any experience with this sort of problem? I can't even seem to find a replacement line, let alone figuring out a way to snake it up under the frame.

Any advice is appreciated

MT-2500
03-26-2008, 03:42 PM
Easy as falling off a log.
Just leave the old line behind the tank.
Any good parts store will have made up steel line.
But only up to 60 in long.
You will have to get several lines and couplers to hook them together for hoe ever long you need.
Get 2 steel brake lines 60 in long same size as your old line and a coupler.
Couple them together and tape the lose fitting on the end to line so it will not slide back.
Then work/push the line in beside the tank and frame.
Hook the end to the rear axel brake hose and then get some more line and go on up to the front brake valve or if there is a fitting on front part of old brake line hook the new line there if old line is good on up.
After you are done zip tie the new line to frame or use old hold downs if they are still good.

Bleed the brakes and you are set to go.

If it is a newer model with 4W abs brakes a abs brake scanner may be required to bleed brakes.
Give us your year and what abs brakes?

someguy000001
03-26-2008, 07:41 PM
Thanks for the reply, MT. Sorry, I forgot to add it's a '97 4WD with ABS.
I got one of those Motive brand brake bleeder kits a while back and I think that will do the trick. I was ready to give up and get rid of this thing but I think I'll give it a shot now. You make it sound simple. Thanks!

MT-2500
03-27-2008, 09:03 AM
You are welcome and good luck.
A good brake line wrench helps.
A good parts place should have the steel brake lines in what ever lenghts you need. from 6in to 60 in.
Just make sure you fittings on the end match your old fittings.
A few of them may have metric/bubble flares.
Check real close.
Just couple them together to get it on up to the front past all of the old line.
On the old line between tank and frame just clips off the old ends and leave what ever you can not get out.

old_master
03-27-2008, 03:50 PM
'97 4WD with ABS you will need an ABS capable scan tool to activate the solenoids in the ABS unit so you can bleed it.

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